Reason 1: Economic Opportunity (Land and Money) Background: England’s population in the 1600’s grew rapidly. At the same time, farming technology improved, pushing many landless peasants out of farm work and into poverty in the increasingly crowded cities. Land and economic opportunity were scarce.

Jamestown Colony Founded in 1607 by 104 men and boys in what is now Virginia Located on a marshy peninsula (for defense purposes) – infested with mosquitoes carrying malaria Colony also plagued by Indian attacks and bad weather Only 25% of the colonists survived the first year – hunger, dysentery, malaria, yellow fever More colonists came (including families), but second winter harder – “the starving time” – one colonist ate his wife! Tobacco crop “saves” Jamestown as it provides a steady income

Indentured Servitude To do the intense farmwork required for tobacco cultivation, more workers were needed Poor young men, ages Work as servant for 5-7 years in exchange for free voyage, free food and shelter, and 50 acres of land Had few rights, but more than slaves At least 50% of 17 th century European immigrants came as indentured servants

Reason 2: Religious Freedom Background: Under Henry VIII, the Church of England had become controlled by the Crown. Some people thought this to be a violation of Christian principles. For them, government control of religion was impure. The Church of England harassed those who practiced other religions.

Pilgrims: Plymouth Colony Separatists: wanted to be left alone to practice their way After living in exile in the Netherlands, about 100 Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower in 1620 Unlike Jamestown, original settlers were families who moved to practice religion, not to make money Half died in first winter alone, semi-successful relationship with local Natives helped them survive

Puritans: Massachusetts Bay Colony Arrived in Boston in 1630 Not separatists like Pilgrims, they wanted to set up a land with a “purified” English church Strong work ethic, well-organized, well- educated Most successful of early colonies Extremely religious (and intolerant of others) Believed God has chosen them to found a “city on a hill”

Reason 3: They were forced to come Background: War and disease quickly reduced the number of Native Americans living in the Caribbean Islands and directly along the Atlantic coast. In their desire for cheap labor, European colonists turned to Africa.

The “Middle Passage” “Middle Passage” refers to the side of the slave trade triangle from Africa to the New World Slaves captured in Africa and sold to European slave traders Brutal conditions on journey over, many died on the way Slaves arrived early on in Jamestown and other Southern colonies to tend fields, but also lived throughout all colonies, largely as personal servants in the North Between 10 and 20 million slaves in total were brought to the Americas